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AudioFetch Blog Header_ADA Compliance

ADA Compliance and Hearing Impairments: Everything Your Business Needs to Know

By | airports, Auction, Business, Casinos, Churches, Education, Government, Hearing Assistance, Hearing Loss, Stadiums, Theater, Tour Guides, Wireless Audio | No Comments

Every public business, organization, or venue should be thinking about how to improve accessibility at their establishment. Not only does it create a more welcoming environment for any and every-one that visits, but it can also be a legal requirement. 

Read on to learn more about how your business can (and must) improve accessibility through ADA compliance and other accessibility-friendly solutions.

What is ADA compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. It prohibits discrimination and seeks to improve accessibility at public government entities and privately-owned “places of public accommodation,” and requires employers with 15+ employees to provide reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities.

What are ADA guidelines for hearing impairments?

The ADA requirements for hearing impairments vary by platform, business type, or entity. For example, all airlines within and into the United States must accommodate hearing loss, according to the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA), which is typically accomplished by adding captions to airport TVs
 
Other public venues must provide assistive listening devices (ALDs) in each assembly area where audible communication is integral to the use of the space. These venues include movie theaters, concert and lecture halls, schools, museums, hospitals, stadiums and arenas, courtrooms, conference rooms, convention centers, nursing homes, community centers, and the list goes on and on. 
 
If your venue provides fixed seating (e.g., theater or stadium) for 50 or more people, ADA compliant receivers must be available for a percentage of seating capacity. Originally it was 4% of capacity, but that figure was updated in 2010 to give larger venues a bit of a break with a scaled quantity. Additionally, at least 25% or a minimum of two receivers must be hearing-aid compatible.

What is an ADA-compliant device?

ADA compliant products for hard-of-hearing individuals include assistive listening systems (ALS) or assistive listening devices (ALDs). An assistive listening system is defined as an amplification system utilizing transmitters, receivers, and coupling devices to bypass the acoustical space between a sound source and a listener by means of induction loop, radio frequency, infrared, direct-wired equipment or wireless connection.

Who enforces ADA compliance?

Several agencies play a role in enforcing or investigating ADA compliance claims, including The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Department of Labor, and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB).

What are the consequences of not following the ADA guidelines?

Failing to comply with ADA guidelines can result in both financial and reputation repercussions
 
On a purely financial basis, your business or organization can be fined by the federal government up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for additional ADA violations, and state or local governments may tack on additional fines. Additionally, you open yourself up to lawsuits, personal injury claims, and legal or civil penalties from disabled individuals with legitimate complaints or ambulance-chasing entities looking to make an easy buck. 
 
From a reputation perspective, your brand name can also be dragged through the mud for non-compliance, which can also severely affect your business financially in both the short and long term.

What businesses or organizations are exempt from ADA compliance?

The ADA does not apply to places of worship, religious organizations/schools, private clubs, or any other venue historically excluded from federal civil rights laws. However, many of these organizations decide to provide some type of assistive listening option to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all of their members and patrons. 
 
Learn more about our assistive listening solutions for churches and houses of worship.

Does AudioFetch work with ADA-compliant receivers?

Yes, AudioFetch is compatible with ADA-compliant receivers. AudioFetch can be used to broadcast the audio source live, and then businesses can use a regulation ADA-compliant device to receive that audio. 
 
AudioFetch also integrates seamlessly with hearing aids; listeners connect the hearing aid to their smartphone via Bluetooth and are able to listen in real-time.

AudioFetch works with businesses and organizations of all sizes to help you create a more accessible and welcoming environment for your guests, customers, and employees. If you’re ready to get started, contact us or schedule an appointment to learn more and request a free demo. 

AudioFetch Blog Header - Legislative Hearing Assistance

How to Provide Hearing Assistance in Courtrooms & Legislative Proceedings

By | Government | No Comments

For decades, courtrooms and government meeting rooms have used hearing loop technology to allow participants to hear better during hearings and legislative procedures. While hearing loops are an effective way to provide this hearing accessibility, they present a few problems:

  1. Hearing loops are expensive
  2. Listeners must use a hearing aid
  3. The installation process can be complex
  4. Metal in walls and floors can cause interference 

Today, courts and legislative bodies that are looking for a more affordable, efficient, flexible and modern solution are turning to AudioFetch audio over WiFi streaming. Following are five benefits that AudioFetch provides for hearing assistance in court and legislative settings:

1. Secure One-Way Communications

Security is of the utmost importance in legal and legislative proceedings. AudioFetch technology uses the local wireless network to stream audio. When that network is password protected, you can limit who can listen to only those approved individuals.

2. No Hearing Aid Required

People don’t always wear hearing aids when they should. Maybe they forgot it, maybe it’s too uncomfortable, maybe it creates too much feedback, or maybe it simply makes them feel old. Whatever the reasons, not using a hearing aid when you need one can cause you to miss important information, and in a legal setting, it’s imperative that every word can be heard. 

Even when someone doesn’t need a hearing aid, they could still benefit from hearing better. As quiet as legal proceedings can be, there can also be loud, distracting background noise that makes the main speaker difficult to hear. 

With wireless audio streaming, all the listener needs is a smartphone or mobile device, which nearly everyone has already and never leaves home without, and headphones. 

3. Lower Installation Cost

The fees associated with installing a hearing loop are just for the system. Depending on the size and construction of the courtroom, you may need to pull up carpeting, tiles or baseboards and replace any damaged items. Additionally, metal in walls and floors can create interference, limiting the capabilities of the loop system. Installation requires a specialist, can be messy and takes some time.

Installing wireless audio streaming is so simple, it’s nearly plug-and-play. Your hearing assistance solution can be up and running the day you receive it, and you won’t have to touch an inch of flooring or walls. 

4. No Monthly Fees

Other hearing assistance solutions require ongoing monthly fees and/or charge extra when you hit a usage limit or each additional listener. With AudioFetch, you pay for the equipment and it’s yours to use as much you need for as long as you need. And we never charge for support either. 

5. Minimal Equipment

A single piece of equipment is all that’s required for local audio streaming. If you’d like to expand coverage or connect with other audio sources, you can add a transmitter and receiver, but these are entirely optional. 

Save time, money and hassle, and make it easier for participants to hear during legislative proceedings. Contact us today to request a quote or schedule an appointment at your convenience.